For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 12, 2003

President Discusses Faith-Based Initiative at Power Center Celebration
Remarks by the President at the Power Center 10th Anniversary Celebration
Power Center
Houston, Texas

5:49 P.M. CDT

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all very much. Kirbyjon can tell it.
(Laughter.) Heck, I might sound inarticulate compared to him.
(Laughter.)

REVEREND CALDWELL: No, no.

THE PRESIDENT: Yes. Let's see how to start here. First, it's glad
to be back -- I'm glad to be back to Texas. It's good to see some of my
buddies. I'm looking at a man right here on the front row I went to
the 7th grade with in Houston, Texas. I see my friend, Big Tuna, I used
to play basketball with at the Y. I never forget my friends, and I've
got a lot of friends here in Texas and I'm thrilled to be with you.
Thank you all for coming tonight.

But thank you for coming to support this wonderful program. You'll
hear me say this a couple of times in what's going to be a short
address. Pastor Caldwell said, speak all you want, but don't exceed
seven minutes. (Laughter.)

I think the fact that people are willing to contribute money to
save lives is a powerful testimony to the strength of America. I think
that when people are willing to support a social entrepreneur like
Kirbyjon Caldwell and the others at the Windsor Village Church who have
heard a call and are out to save any life they can find that needs to
be saved -- the fact that you support them speaks to your heart, as
well.

And so today I first want to say thanks -- thanks for contributing
hard-earned money to make Houston, Texas the best place it can be. And
I'm proud to be up here with my friend. Sometimes it's not easy to be
the friend of George W. Bush -- I know that. (Laughter.) If you know
what I mean. (Laughter.) But let me tell you something -- it's good to
have a friend that I can call before a debate, and say, do you mind
saying a prayer? It's good to have a friend to go with you to Ground
Zero. He's not a political friend, he's a friend. He rises above that,
that friendship. And it's good for this community to lift up a man
like Kirbyjon Caldwell who acts for the best interests of all the
citizens of this community. And I'm proud to call him, friend.
(Applause.)

And we both married above ourselves. (Applause.)

MR. CALDWELL: Amen.

THE PRESIDENT: Yes, sir. Well, you don't need to amen it that
loud. (Laughter.) Laura sends her love to Kirbyjon and Suzette and to
all our buddies here. She is a fantastic First Lady, by the way. I
really lucked out. (Applause.) And she's doing great, she really is.

Suzette is a unique person. I just had had my picture taken with a
group of Prayer Warriors organized by Suzette Caldwell. You know, it's
a unique country, when you think about it, that people would pray for
me. People I'll never know, people I'll never have a chance to say
thank you to, pray for me. Suzette organized such a group, and I had a
chance to say thank you to the group. But it shows the kind of person
Suzette is. And I want to thank you for your friendship, as well.

I want to thank you for your prayers. I feel them. And it means a
lot, it means a lot. And so, Suzette, I want to thank you for your
friendship, as well. It's great seeing your kids. They're little
live-wires, little -- one of them is like a little Kirbyjon, you know
-- (laughter) -- hard to control. (Laughter.)

It's great to see Booker and Jean Caldwell, as well. Kirbyjon and I
both lucked out, we've got good, strong mothers. I hope you're still
listening to yours, Kirbyjon. (Laughter.) I'm listening to mine, I can
assure you. (Laughter.)

I'm traveling today with a great friend of Houston, Texas, a friend
of mine, a man who has agreed to serve our community, communities all
across the country as the Secretary of Education, Mr. Rod Paige.
(Applause.) I like to remind people that when picking the Cabinet, I
wanted for the education man, somebody that had actually been an
educator. We had enough theory in Washington, we wanted somebody that
had actually done the job. And as you know, he did a great job as the
Superintendent of the Houston Independent School District. What I love
about Rod is he is willing to challenge the soft bigotry of low
expectations. He raises the bar. And he's not afraid to measure to
determine whether or not we're meeting those standards.

We passed a really important piece of legislation called the No
Child Left Behind Act. And the way you make sure no child is left
behind is you raise standards, you hold people accountable, you correct
problems before -- early, before they're too late. I am absolutely
convinced that under Rod's leadership at the Department of Education,
it is less likely a child is going to be left behind in America. And I
want to thank you for your service. (Applause.)

I know some of my running buddies from the state government are
here -- Lt. Governor David Dewhurst, and Railroad Commissioner Michael
Williams, I want to thank you all for coming. I'm proud you're here.
(Applause.) I know Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is here, and I'm --
there she is -- and I'm honored that you're here. Thank you for coming,
Congresswoman, I appreciate it. (Applause.) One thing about Sheila
Jackson Lee is when I see her, she's never afraid to offer up any
advise. (Laughter.) It's become a habit of ours, hasn't it? (Laughter.)

I appreciate the fact that we've got two former Secretaries of
Commerce here -- one Houstonian, Bob Mosbacher; and new Texan, Bill
Daley. And I want to thank them both for coming. I appreciate them
being here. (Applause.) I appreciate my friend, Oxford. He's actually
making a pretty good hand. Thanks for putting on this event.

It's great to see you. Genora Boykins, who's the chairperson of the
CDC, I want to thank her for opening this event up. Thank my friend,
Jody Jiles, who's the treasurer of the Community Development
Corporation. I've known Jody for a long time.

You know, I have had the chance to hear Kirbyjon preach, and he's a
pretty darn good preacher. He reminds of the preacher that got going
one day and about three-quarters of the way through the sermon a guy
was so moved, on about pew three that he popped up and screamed, "Use
me, Lord, use me!" The preacher plowed on through and finished up and
didn't think anything of it, until the next Sunday. About the same time
in his sermon, this guy gets so moved -- I'm sure some of you have been
so moved by Kirbyjon that you think about popping up. This guy popped
up again and he screamed, "Use me, Lord, use me." After the service was
over, the preacher sought the fellow out. He said, "Fine, I appreciate
your willingness to help, and therefore, I suggest and would like for
you to scrape and paint all the pews." The next Sunday the preacher is
up there letting it go. The guy pops up and he says, "Use me, Lord, use
me, but in an advisory capacity."

I'm at the Power Center today because this place is full of doers,
not advisors. This was once an empty K-Mart building. It is now a
building full of love. It was used to sell goods, and now it provides
incredibly important services to help save lives.

I find it interesting that they named the center the Power Center.
This -- we're not talking about electricity in this power. We're
talking about a higher power that caused this center to be. I find it
also interesting that in the midst of this -- or at least the last time
I came, Suzette showed me the prayer facility, right in the middle of
the center. You've got a bank, you've got a school, and you've got a
women and children's clinic, the WIC program -- it's a government
program. You've got some job-training, you've got the Houston Community
Center -- community college facility, I mean. But in the midst, there's
a prayer center. People should realize that the reason why this program
is successful is because the power in the Power Center comes from a
higher calling, a higher source of power. (Applause.)

And the reason why I came to see the Power Center in the first
place was twofold. One, I felt I had an obligation as the governor of
the state to support programs that were changing people's lives in a
positive way. And secondly, I had heard that, beyond good intentions,
there were good results here, and that the Power Center was a unique
faith-based program. And it helped me develop a philosophy of
government that I want to explain right quick to you.

And part of my reason I'm doing this is because I'm sending a
message to the Congress at the same time. (Laughter.) They might not be
here -- except for one very distinguished Congresswoman, but the TV
cameras are here. It gives me a chance too speak directly to good
social policy in America.

I saw people's lives changed because of faith. Right here at the
Power Center is a good example. I saw the fact that with the proper
application of the call to love a neighbor like you'd like -- love
yourself, with resources and social entrepreneurship, souls could
change. And I recognized that at the time in Texas, and now nationally,
that the absolute best way to make sure that the promise of America
extends its reach into every neighborhood, the best way to help heal
those who hurt, is to bring all the resources of our country to bear.
And the most powerful resource of all is the ability to transform lives
through faith. (Applause.)

I don't talk about a particular faith. I believe the Lord can work
through many faiths, whether it be the Christian faith, the Jewish
faith, Muslim faith, Hindu faith. When I speak of faith, I speak of all
faiths, because there is a universal call, and that main universal call
is to love your neighbor. It extends throughout all faith.

That's what the Power Center says to me. It's a living example of
what is possible not only in Houston, but in communities all around our
country, because there are faith-based communities all around our
country. There are churches on every corner, there are synagogues in
every town, there are people of faith who have heard a call. It seems
like to me, this society of ours must rally the people of faith.
Amongst our plenty, there are people who hurt, there's addiction and
loneliness, social problems that can only be cured by love.

I've been searching for that bill, by the way, every since I've
been in government -- the bill that says you'll love somebody. Sheila
Jackson will sponsor it, and I'll sign it. (Laughter and applause.)

But there is no such bill. People don't get their inspiration to
help a neighbor in need from government. They get their inspiration
from a higher being. And yet, government has thwarted faith to be
involved in our communities because of what they call the doctrine of
separation of church and state. And that's a noble doctrine; the church
should never be the state, and the state certainly should never be the
church. But our government must not fear the application of faith into
solving social problems. We must not worry about people of faith
receiving taxpayers' money to help people in need.

In my judgment, that doesn't obscure the line of church and state;
it enhances the capacity of state to save lives, by tapping into this
fundamental powerful resource of ours, the heart and soul of the
American people.

And yet in Washington, D.C., there is an attitude that we should
not welcome faith-based programs into the budgets of our government. As
a matter of fact, there are regulations that specifically prohibit
faith-based programs from job-training, for example, or Head Start, or
some housing programs. There is a fear that funding faith will somehow
change the doctrine of church and state.

I completely disagree. The discrimination against faith-based
programs at the federal level prevents us from using all our resources
to save lives. And for those who hurt, we need to use every resource
we have. For those who are lonely, we need to use every resource. For
those who are hungry, we need to use every resource. For those who look
for housing, we need to use every resource. And so one of my missions
is to work with people to end the discrimination in Washington, D.C.
against faith-based programs. (Applause.)

The other problem we have, besides just outright regulations saying
that you cannot use money for housing or Head Start or job-training
programs, is the fact that oftentimes groups that try to access federal
money -- by the way, the purpose of the money is to save lives, in many
cases -- the groups that apply have to change their board of directors
in order to access the money, or have to take the cross off the wall,
in the case of the Christian faith-based program. But it's hard to be a
faith-based program if you can't practice faith. If the effectiveness
of the program is based upon faith, our government must allow that
program to practice its faith. (Applause.)

You see, up to now, the question has been, what is the process? My
question is, what are the results? If we're saving lives, if the
Salvation Army is doing what it does so very well, we ought to welcome
programs that succeed. We ought to say, you're welcome into the
fabric, the social fabric of America in changing lives.

So that's what we're off to do. And I have signed an executive
order -- Presidents sign executive orders. (Laughter.) It says that
we'll have a level playing field for faith-based programs when they
apply for federal money. I've got offices in each Cabinet set up to
make sure that the faith-based programs have a friendly ear when they
come to apply; that they're not facing the same old bureaucratic
morass, that they get a welcoming ear. Rod has got one in his office.
HUD has got one. Social -- cabinets have got them in their offices,
because I want people who have got a good idea about how to change
somebody's life to have a sympathetic ear in Washington, D.C.

I want people to know that you ought to come. Not only are people
allowed to come and make their case and to get help on grant-making,
but we also assure them that, in reverse, the government is not going
to force them to change their habits and change their ways and change
their basic reason for existing.

And we're beginning to make some progress. Slowly but surely, we're
changing the culture. We'll finalize new regulations later this month
that will open up a lot of money available to faith-based programs. And
that's important, because it means that we'll do a better job of
encouraging the neighborhood healers to fulfill their mission.

Obviously, not all money will be federal money. That would be bad
for the fabric of America. That's why you're here, see. That's why I
came. I want to encourage private foundations not to discriminate
against faith-based programs. I want to encourage individuals to give.
But what I'm also telling you is that the federal government needs to
take an active role, in my judgment.

Let me tell you some of the kinds of things that are taking place,
and hopefully this will stimulate other thought for others who may want
to try to compete for taxpayers' money to help save lives. The
Department of Health and Human Services recently awarded $7 million of
grants to 15 faith-based groups who support abstinence education. One
of the grants, for nearly $500,000, a new grant went to a women's
concern. It's a group of faith-based health centers in the Boston area.
It seems like it makes sense to me that when you're trying to help
people make right choices, that you ask people of faith to be included
in the process. This won't be a punitive -- it wouldn't be punitive
education. It would be education done out of the kindness of somebody's
heart. Faith-based programs work.

We've got a -- the Department of Labor has awarded $21 million to
faith-based groups for job-training. I asked Kirbyjon on the way in
from Ellington Field, I said, are you able to access federal money for
your job training program. He said, I didn't know we were able to.
Well, you -- you will be able to. What's wrong with having faith-based
programs? What's wrong with having a church be able to reach out to a
prisoner, somebody who just got out of prison, somebody who's desperate
for love? What's wrong with a church, a place of love, surrounding that
soul, and at the same time having a job-training program to help them?
I'll tell you what's wrong with it. Nothing's wrong with it. And the
federal government ought to welcome faith-based programs to help save
lives. (Applause.)

In East Harlem, the Exodus Transitional Community is using grants
from Labor and Justice to help released prisoners get a job. That's the
kind of thing I'm talking about. Exodus helped 252 people last year.
This year, with the new grant, they'll help 375. And that may not sound
like a lot because there's a lot of prisoners. But think about if there
was Exodus programs, or Exodus-type programs all over. Instead of 375,
we'll be talking about 375 times thousands. And all of a sudden, souls
who were once lost are then found; people who thought they didn't have
hope can find hope.

HUD, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, is supporting
faith-based groups like Uplift 4th Ward -- you may have heard about the
program. The Rose of Sharon Missionary Baptist Church in Houston runs
it. Uplift 4th Ward focuses -- there you go. (Laughter.) I'm glad you
invited somebody, Kirbyjon -- (laughter) -- from Uplift 4th Ward. It is
a chance to rehabilitate historic buildings and provide safe and
affordable housing to low-income seniors. Who says housing programs
have to be done out of the old traditional construction company? Why
can't housing companies be started out of faith-based institutions?

There's program after program that have started -- that were just
started, is my point to you. Congress needs to hear the call. Congress
needs to not thwart efforts. You see, my attitude is, if a faith-based
program provides help to anybody in need, regardless of their religion,
we should not fear that program. My view is, is that the program ought
to stand on its own. The money won't go for proselytizing. The money
will go to the social service intended for that program.

I believe we ought to empower people to be able to make choices on
where they receive their help. I can't think of anything more vital in
America than to have a program aimed at changing drug addiction in
America, and a program that will allow faith-based programs to be an
integral part of helping somebody kick alcohol and drugs. (Applause.) I
say that because I know firsthand what it takes to quit drinking, and
it takes something other than a textbook or a manual. To change a
person's heart, you can change their life.

Our society must not fear the use of faith to solve life's
problems. We must welcome faith, and Congress must not block these
important initiatives. There are lives to be saved; there are soldiers
in the army of compassion ready to save them. And the federal
government ought to be on the side of the soldiers in the armies of
compassion. (Applause.)

We'll continue working on the Compassionate Capital Fund. I've
asked for $100 million this year. It's a way to help start-up social
entrepreneurs learn how to apply for grants. It gets people ways to
fulfill their mission, to realize their dreams. I believe we ought to
have a national mentoring program, particularly for children whose mom
and dad may be in a prison, for junior high students. I've asked for
$450 million. I hope Congress funds it.

I just told you about my view on drug rehabilitation. Look, when we
find suffering in our society today, we can't turn away. And just as an
aside, we can't turn away overseas, either. I'm proud of the United
States of America. This great nation is going to spend $15 billion over
the next five years in the important work of human rescue by providing
medicine and help to millions and millions of men, women, and children
suffering from AIDS on the continent of Africa. (Applause.)

I'm incredibly proud of our country. We're a really strong nation.
We need to be strong. We're at war with people who hate America. And
I'll keep us strong, militarily. We'll be strong to meet the
challenges. We'll continue to push for freedom and peace overseas. The
world is going to be peaceful, thanks to the United States of America.
America will be more secure, thanks to the focus and strength of the
American people.

But at home, we need to work to save lives, as well. A secure
America is a hopeful America. A secure America is an educated America.
A secure America is a place where people realize the American Dream is
meant for them as much as it is meant for me.

People say, well, your country's strong. I say, yes, we are, but
you don't really understand the strength of America. It's the hearts
and souls of our citizens. That's the true strength of this country.
The Power Center tapped into that strength. Your contributions tonight
recognize that strength and support it. And our government must stand
side-by-side with that strength, as well.

I'm incredibly optimistic about our country and its future. I've
seen firsthand the great character of the American people. And it's
that character, it's that determination, it is that optimism that
allows me to boldly predict, America will overcome any problem she
faces, abroad, and here at home.

Thank you all for coming. May God bless you, and may God bless our
country. (Applause.)